Balanced cord-drop attachment.



No. 766,497. PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904. H. 'DOLIER, JR. BALANCED CORD DROP ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

wi f vmow W UNITED STATES Patented August 2, 1901.

PATENT OFFICE.

BALANCED CORD-DROP ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,497, dated August 2, 1904.

Application filed March 7, 1904:. Serial No. 196,847. (No model.)

To (all whom it wan/y concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY DOLIER, J12, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Balanced Cord-Drop Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to incandescent-lamp attachments, more particularly such as will permit of the employment of an ordinary incandescent lamp in such position that its longitudinal axis may be maintained approximately horizontal even in the case where the lamp is to be suspended by the usual dropcord.

My invention consists also of means whereby the incandescent lamp when supported by a drop-cord or other fixture and held in approximately horizontal position may be rotated to any position about the drop-cord or other support as an axis, whereby the lamp may be independent of the twisting effects or tendencies of the cord or other supporting means, and means whereby electrical communication is maintained between the lamp and the cord or fixture irrespective of the position to which the lamp may be rotated.

A further feature of my invention is the balancing of the lamp system that is, the lamp and all attachments--so that the lamp shall extend practically horizontally or in any other desired direction, and thus be independent of a string or other means usually resorted to for tying up a cord-suspended lamp into horizontal position.

in many places it is essential that the incandescent lamps be suspended by their own conducting-cord, the practice heretofore being to permit the lamp to hang with its axis vertical and practically coincident with the axis of the cord. It is a fact that an incandescent lamp so supported sheds the greater part of its light in horizontal directions, and the amount of light radiated vertically downward below the lamp is greatly less than the illumination in a horizontal direction. By actual tests with incandescent lamps l have found that with the axis of the lamp vertical the intensity of the illumination in a horizontal direction may be expressed, for example, by sixteen candle power. At the same time, however, the illumination in a direction vertically below the lamp is represented by 7.9-candle power. In other words, the illumination directly below the lamp is only one-half of what it is in the horizontal direction.

In factories, machine-shops, and the like the workmen appreciate the fact that a lamp hung directly above their machine or work does not when in the ordinary vertical position shed the most light downwardly. In consequence the workman will tie his lamp up with a string extending between the lamp and some portion of the cord or other body, so as to hold the lamp in an approximately horizontal position. He is then instantly met with the ditiiculty that the cord will twist and turn the lamp to a position which he does not desire. It is to overcome such difiicult-ies that my invention is well adapted-that is, to provide an attachment whereby the lamp will beheld in an approximately horizontal position and be capable of rotation to any position independently of its cord or other support.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a top plan view of the lamp and attachment. Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the lamp and attachment. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the under side'of one of the members of the attachment. Fig. 4 isa View, on a larger scale, of a portion of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is an ordinary incandescent lamp, which is so held by the attachment about to be described in such position that its filament u. or the axis of the lamp is practically horizontal.

2 is a reflector, preferably parabolic in shape and having the neck portion 3, through which the lamp 1 extends. The neck portion 3 terminates in the clasps 0r fingers a, which embrace or engage the bead 5, spun in the horizontally-extending neck 6 of the spunmetal spherical casing 7.

12 is the usual Edison threaded lamp-contact, and 13 is the usual button-contact of the lamp. Contact 12 screws into and engages the screw-threaded metal shell-contact 11,

which is held by screws or small bolts to the porcelain member 8. v a

28 is the usual insulating-bushing.

9 is a metallic ring secured in an annular depression in the top of the porcelain member 8. Integral with and extending downwardly from the ring 9 is the tongue 10, which is in electrical communication with the screw threaded shell 11 through a screw which engages in said' tongue 10. The button-contact 13 engages the central contact 14:, consisting of a strip of metal extending horizontally through an opening in the porcelain 8 and turned downwardly at right angles at its right-hand end. The screw 15 engages in the contact 14:, and the check-nut '16 holds the screw 15 and contact 14 securely together. The upper end of the screw15 engages the contact-plate 18, secured to the upper porcelain member 17 by the screw 19, which screw serves-also forsecuring one of the conductors of the cord drop 27. The other conductor of the cord drop 27 is bound under the screw 20, which extends through the porcelain 17 into a recess on the under side and engages in and secures the brush member 21,-consisting, preferably, of some resilient conducting material. The two porcelain members 8 and 17 are rotatable relatively to each other, so that'the lamp 1 may be'rotated to any position'about the cord 27 or screw 15 as an axis,

the brush 21 maintaining electrical communication between the plate 18 and the contact 14.

The porcelain member 17 has a channel or groove 22 extending around its periphery, and in this groove or channel'engages the inwardly-turned flange of the casing 7. By this means the two parts of the attachment are held together, but permitted to rotate with respect to each other. The canopy member 23 has within it the rib member 24, through which the screws 25 are tapped, these screws 25 also engaging in the channel 22 and serve as means for securing the porcelain member 17 and the canopy member 23 together.

.25 is the usual metal bushing, which is tapped to receive a fixture or to receive an insulatingbushing, as 26, through which the cord drop 27 is led.

The path of the current may be traced as follows: from one conductor of the cord 27 to the binding-screw 19 and the plate 18, then through screw l5to contact 14, to button-contact 13, through the lamp filament (ato the threaded lamp-contact 12, to the screwthreaded shell-contact 11, to the tongue 10, to the ring 9, to the brush 21, and to the bindingscrew 20 and the other conductor of the cord 27. Into whatever position the lamp 1 may be rotated the current follows the path just described. 7

W is a counterweight of lead or other suitable material secured within the casing 11 and on the opposite side of the axis of the ent that my balanced rotary attachment makes it possible to use an ordinary incandescent lamp in the position in which it will give the maximum illumination in a direction vertically downward, that the suspension may be made by the usual flexible cord, and that the position of thelamp in a horizontal planeis independent of the cord.

Though I have shown and described an attachment for an Edison lamp, it is obvious that my attachment is equally adaptable to Westinghouse, Thomson Houston, or any other type of socket or lamp-base. It is obvious also that the axis of the socket for the lamp need not be at'right angles to the axis of the cord, but may be placed at any other desired inclination. It is obvious, further, that a flat seat may be formed on the casing 7 at a point opposite to the lamp, whereby the lamp and attachment-become stable in an upright position and serve as a portable lamp.

What I claim is 1. In combination, a cord drop, a terminal base secured thereto and having terminals in communication with the conductors of said cord drop, a member secured to and rotatable with respect to said terminal base, a lampsocket secured to said member, the axis of said lamp socket being at approximately right angles with the axis of the cord drop, and a casing inclosing said member and having an extension concentric with said lamp-socket.

I 2. In combination, a cord drop, a terminal base supported thereby, a member secured to and rotatable with respect to said terminal base, alamp-socket secured to said member and having its axis at approximately right angles with the axis of said cord drop, a lamp engaging in said socket, and a weight for balancing said lamp about the axis of said cord drop..

3. In combination, a cord drop, a terminal base supported thereby, a member secured to and rotatable with respect to said terminal base, a lamp-socket secured to said member, means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp-socket and said cord drop, a lamp engaging in said socket and having its axis at approximately right angles carried within said casing and having its axis.

at approximately right angles with the axis of said cord drop, means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp- SOCliQt and said cord drop, a lamp projecting through said casing and engaging in said lamp-socket, and a weight within said casing for balancing said lamp.

5. In combination, a fixed casing, a terminal base contained therein, a cord drop secured to said terminal base, a rotatable casing, a lamp-socket contained therein and having its axis at approximately right angles with the axis of the cord drop, and means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp-socket and said cord drop.

6. In combination, a terminal base, a cord drop secured thereto, a channel in said terminal base. a rotatable casing engaging in said channel, a lamp-socket carried within said casing, and means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp-socket and said cord drop.

7. In combination, a terminal base, a cord drop secured thereto, a channel in said terminal base, a rotatable casing engaging in said channel, a member supported within said casing, a lamp-socket secured to said member and having its axis at approximately right angles with the axis of said cord drop, and means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp-socket and said cord drop.

8. In combination, a terminal base, a cord drop secured thereto, a channel in said terminal base, a rotatable casing engaging in said channel, a member carried within said casing, a lamp supported on said member and having its axis at approximately right angles with the axis of said cord drop, means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp and said cord drop, and a weight within said casing for balancing said lamp.

9. In combination, a cord drop, a terminal base secured thereto, a member secured to and rotatable with respect to said terminal base, a lamp-socket secured to said member and having its axis at approximately right angles with the axis of said cord drop and relatively movable contacts for maintaining electrical communication between said lampsocket and said cord drop.

10. In combination, a cord drop, aterminal base secured thereto, a member secured to and rotatable with respect to said terminal base, a lamp secured to said base and having.

its axis at approximately right angles with the axis of said cord drop, whereby the maximum illumination is in a direction approximately parallel with said cord drop, and means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp and said cord drop.

11. In combination, a terminal base, a member cooperating therewith, a lamp-socket secured to said member, a casing inclosing.

said member and socket and engaging with saidterminal base, and means for maintain-. ing electrical communication between said terminal base and said lamp-socket.

12. In combination, a terminal base, a member rotatable with respect thereto, a lampsocket supported by said member, and a casing inclosing said member and socket and serving to maintain said member in opera: tive relationship with said terminal base.

13. In combination, a terminal base, a member rotatable with respect to said base, a lampsocket supported by said member, the axis of said lamp soeliet being at approximately right angles with the axis of said terminal base, and a casing inclosing said member and lamp-socket.

1 1. In combination, a terminal base, a member cooperating therewith, a lamp-socket secured. to said member, a counterweight, and a casing inclosing said member, lamp-socket, and counterweight.

15. In combination, a terminal base, a member cooperating therewith, alamp supported by said member, the axis of said lamp being at approximately right angles with the axis of said terminal base, a casing inclosing-said member, and a reflector supported by said casing.

16. In combination, a terminal base, a member cooperating therewith, a lamp system supported by said member, the axis of the lamp being at approximately right angles with the axis of said terminal base, and a weight for balancing said lamp system about the axis of said terminal base.

17. In combination, a terminal base. a member cooperating therewith and rotatable with respect thereto, a lamp system supported by said member, means for maintaining electrical communication between said terminal base and said lamp, and a weight for balancing said lamp system about the axis of said terminal base.

18. In combination, a cord drop,a terminal base supported thereby, a member secured to and rotatable with respect to said terminal base, a lamp supported by said member, means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp and said terminal base, and a weight for balancing said lamp in approximately horizontal position.

19. In combination, a cord drop, a terminal base secured thereto, a lamp supported by said terminal base, means for balancing said lamp in position to cause maximum illumination in a direction approximately parallel withsaid cord drop, means permitting the rotation of said lamp with respect to said terminal base,

whereby said lamp isind ependent of any twisting tendencies of said cord drop, and means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp and said cord drop.

20. In combination, a cord drop, a member secured thereto, a lamp carried by said member, the axis of the lamp being at an angle with the axis of the cord drop, and a counterweight for determining the position of the lamp.

21. In combination a cord drop, a member supported thereby and capable of rotation with respect thereto, a lamp supported by said member, the axis of the lamp being at an angle with the axis of the cord drop, means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp and cord drop, and a counterweight for determining the position of the lamp.

22. In combination, a cord drop, a member supported thereby and rotatable with respect thereto, a lamp supported by said member, the axis of said lamp being at approximately right angles with the axis of the cord drop, and means for maintaining electrical communication between the lamp and the cord drop.

23. In combination, a cord drop, a member secured thereto, a lamp system supported by said member, the axisof the lamp being at an angle with the axis of the cord drop, a weight for balancing said lamp system about the axis of the cord drop, and a casing inclosing said member and weight.

24.. In combination, a cord drop, a member supported thereby and rotatable relatively thereto, a lamp carried by said member, the

axis of the lamp being at approximately right angles with the axis of said cord drop, means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp and said cord drop, a weight for balancing said lamp about the axis of said cord drop, and a casing inclosing said member and weight.

25. In combination, a cord drop, a member supported thereby and rotatable with respect thereto, a lamp-socket secured to said member, means for maintaining electrical communication between said cord drop and said lampsocket, a lamp engaging in said socket, and a counterweight for maintaining the axis of said lamp in approximately horizontal position.

26. In combination, a cord drop, an electric lamp supported thereby in approximately horizontal position, and means permitting the rotation of said lamp about said cord drop to any desired position.

27. In combination, a cord drop, a lamp supported thereby in approximately horizontal position, means permitting the rotation of said lamp about said cord drop to any desired position, and means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp and cord drop.

28. In combination, a cord drop, a lamp supported thereby, means for balancing said lamp in approximately horizontal position, and means permitting the rotation of said lamp about said cord drop to any desired position.

29. In combination, a cord drop, a lamp supported thereby, means for balancing said lamp in approximately horizontal position, means permitting the rotation of said lamp about said cord drop to any desired position, and means for maintaining electrical commu nication between said lamp and said cord drop.

30. In combination, a cord drop, a lampsocket supported thereby, a lamp engaging in said socket, means for balancing said lamp in approximately horizontal position, and a casing inclosing said lamp-socket and said balancing means.

31. In combination, a cord drop, a lampsocket supported thereby, a lamp engaging in said socket, means for balancing said lamp in approximately horizontal position, means permitting the rotation of said lamp about said cord drop to any desired position, and a casinginclosing said balancing means and said lamp-socket.

32. In combination, a cord drop, a lampsocket supported thereby, a lamp engaging in said socket, means for balancingsaid lamp in approximately horizontal position, means permitting the rotation of said lamp about said cord drop to any desired position, means for maintaining electrical communication between said lamp-socket and cord drop, and a casing inclosing said balancing means and said lamp-socket.

33. In combination, a cord drop, a lamp supported thereby, means for balancing said lamp in position to cause maximum illumination in a direction approximately parallel with said cord drop, and means permitting the rotation of said lamp about said cord drop whereby saidlamp is independent of any twisting tendencies of said cord drop.

34.. In combination, a cord drop, a lamp supported thereby, means for balancing said lamp in position to cause maximum illumination in a direction approximately parallel with said cord drop, means permitting the rotation of said lamp about said cord drop whereby said lamp is independent of any twisting tendencies of said cord drop, and means for main taining electrical communication between said lamp and said cord drop.

35. In combination, a support, an electric lamp supported thereby in approximately horizontal position, and means permitting the rotation of said lamp about said support to any desired position.

36. In combination, a terminal base, a lamp supported thereby and rotatable with respect thereto, and a shade rotatable with respect to said lamp. 7

37. In combination, aterminal base, a lamp supported thereby and rotatable with respect thereto, a shade rotatable with respect to said 39. In combination, a terminal base. a mem- I0 lamp, and a weight for balancing said lamp ber rotatable with respect thereto, and a lamp and shade. supported by said member, the axis of said 38. In combination, aterminal base, amemlamp being at approximately right angles 3 ber secured thereto and rotatable with respect with the axis of said terminal base.

thereto, a lamp-socket secured to said mem- HEVRY DOLIER, JR. her, a casing mclosmg said socket, and a relVitnessesz Hector supported by and rotatable with re- LILIAN M. UREAMER,

spect to said casing. JOHN CONNELL. 

